I need to know if I'm still a Republican. Before 1992 I had no reason to question my political affiliation until Ross Perot brought to the table many issues that had been bothering me for years. The American voters were duped into believing that Reagan and Bush were going to down-size the government, thus lowering our taxes; they did not do it!

I have always believed that an open market was the best idea for international and American trade. I was shocked when these trade agreements were so stacked against our businesses that many manufacturing companies were forced out and the goods were being made in third world countries. Where is the equality? Now it is known that American security was sacrificed for greedy businessmen who had no patriotism for our country, all of this seemingly under the nose of our government.

The Contract for America was a winner but that year the country was given a false sense of security that we were going to finally bring our government back to a workable and affordable size. What we weren't told was that Clinton was issuing Executive Orders and Presidential Directives that removed many state's and civil rights of American people. These orders were never questioned by the GOP-majority congress. My question is "how stupid do you think we are and how long would we allow the congress to ignore our freedoms?" It is now apparent that all divisions of our government are corrupt to the core. The GOP still has the majority in the congress/senate and should be flagging these illegal actions.

I believe the government has been allowed to grow so out of control that it is nearly impossible to live within all the rules and absolutely impossible to afford it. The growing trend seems to be a desire by the candidates to issue even more laws protecting us from ourselves i.e., controlling our family size, smoking, gambling and even dying with dignity.

I don't believe these are Federal issues and the government has NEVER had the authority to legislate these controls, making the GOP just as guilty as the Liberals who are controlling what our children learn in government schools. The only answer is to get the controls out of Washington D.C. and stop the micro-management.

Cutting the Federal government back to a workable size would take years of good, honest planning needing only expert (Republican) leadership. Why is this so difficult to understand? By reducing the cost of government, and cutting taxes, the American family could put a parent back into home to tend to the kids. This would be a huge plus, if even on a part-time basis.

Is there anyone out there who could lead us out of this top-heavy (and unconstitutional) form of government and put the American family back as a top priority? Our young families are working themselves to death just to pay taxes for a government that doesn't give a damn.

Published in the June 1, 1999 issue of Ether Zone. Copyright © 1999 Ether Zone Online. Reposting permitted with this message intact.